Gardner Lake
Gardner Lake in New London County, Connecticut has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 26 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.7 µg/L. Surface area: 521 acres.
- Area
- 521 acres
- Type
- Mesotrophic
- Public access
- Yes
Gardner Lake is a 521-acre mesotrophic lake in New London County, Connecticut. Water quality is graded C based on 2 sampling years through 2022. Limited fish-species data available. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 9 other monitored lakes in New London County, Gardner Lake ranks #6 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, your state environmental agency, last sampled 2022-07-21. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
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Swimming Safety
Grade onlyLimited data
Based on clarity and algae grades from past sampling — we do not hold live water temperature and a current cyanobacteria reading for this lake. Check your state or county health department before you swim.
Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality
Water Quality Grade: C (Fair)
No clarity data. Phosphorus level: 26 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a: 1.7 µg/L. Trophic State Index: 43.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | No recent samples | |
| Phosphorus | 26 µg/L | Fair |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 1.7 µg/L | Not graded |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 43 | Mesotrophic |
Moderate nutrients, good water quality
Where to stay near Gardner Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Gardner Lake in New London County, Connecticut — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.
Top-rated places to stay near Gardner Lake
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Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Surface Area | 521 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
No bathymetric survey has been published for Gardner Lake, so its depth is not documented here.
Recreation & Access
- Gardner LakePublic
Named access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, snapped within 5 km. More lakes with boat ramps
Fishing Gardner Lake
Reservoir Info (USACE NID)
Gardner Lake is a man-made reservoir impounded by the Gardner Lake Dam (completed 1900), built primarily for recreation on the Gardner Brook; concrete-type dam, 10 ft tall and 168 ft long.
- Surface area
- 521 ac
- Normal storage
- 3,270 ac-ft
- Max storage
- 3,270 ac-ft
- Drainage area
- 5.63 sq mi
- Hazard class
- Significant
- Owner
- Connecticut DEEP
Source: USACE National Inventory of Dams, NID ID CT00512 · Operator website
County Ranking
Ranked #6 of 10 lakes in New London County
Nearby Lakes in New London County
Frequently asked questions about Gardner Lake
Where is Gardner Lake?
- Gardner Lake is a lake in New London County, Connecticut. LakeQuality grades it C for nutrients and algae. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
What is the water quality grade for Gardner Lake?
- Gardner Lake in New London County, Connecticut has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Phosphorus: 26 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 1.7 µg/L. Surface area: 521 acres.
Is Gardner Lake safe to swim in?
- Generally safe for swimming, moderate water quality. Gardner Lake has a water quality grade of C (Fair). Algae concentration (chlorophyll-a) is 1.7 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Are there boat ramps on Gardner Lake?
- Gardner Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Gardner Lake. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Gardner Lake across LakeGrade
More Connecticut Lake Rankings
Other Grade C Lakes in Connecticut
Mesotrophic Lakes in Connecticut
Where this data comes from
10 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-21.
Collected and reported by
- Connecticut Department Of Energy And Environmental Protection
CT_DEP01_WQX10 samples · 2022
Analytical methods
- Total Phosphorus After Block Digestion
- 445.0 ~ EPA; Chlorophyll and Pheophytin in Algae by Fluorescence
- Nitrate-Nitrite Nitrogen by Colorimetry
- Turbidity by Nephelometry
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory